How to Make and Use Yarrow Tea for Amazing Health Benefits

If you have never used yarrow before, then you will want to take a few minutes to read why this amazing plant deserves to be in your herbal medicine cabinet. It has so many applications, from wound healing to alleviating a cold. I really enjoy its mild floral taste when made into a tea, and find that it’s easy to drink more than one cup. It’s safe for children and mine enjoy it sweetened with a little honey. If you’d like to learn more, take a minute to read how to make and use yarrow tea for amazing health benefits!

What is Yarrow?

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial herb with feather-like leaves and white flowers. It is native to North America, Europe, and Asia and is hardy in zones 3-9. It often grows in grasslands, meadows and along roadsides. Yarrow has a slightly floral, bitter, and peppery taste, and has long been used as a medicinal herb to treat a variety of ailments.

Yarrow Tea Benefits

Yarrow has a host of benefits due to its range of medicinal properties. Let’s dive into some of them now:

Detoxifier

This powerful herb has alterative properties, meaning it supports the body’s natural detoxification processes. It purifies the blood by stimulating the liver, kidneys, skin, and digestive system. This is beneficial for skin health as it can improve conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis that are linked to toxin buildup.

Alteratives like yarrow also support circulation which improves heart health and promotes healing. Improved circulation helps regulate blood pressure, making drinking a cup of yarrow tea daily a soothing therapy for those with hypertension. And if you’re like me and bruise easily and suffer from varicose veins and spider veins, yarrow tea can help. In fact it’s traditionally been used to strengthen blood vessels.

Diuretic

Yarrow tea promotes the elimination of excess water and salts from the body by increasing urine output. It does this by stimulating the kidneys to increase urine output and block the reabsorption of water and sodium. This helps lower blood pressure and reduces the swelling in edema.

Digestive Aid

Yarrow has carminative properties, meaning it helps relieve bloating, gas, and discomfort by supporting healthy digestion. It balances digestion by normalizing bowel movements, easing both diarrhea and constipation.

It also helps increase bile production due to its bitter compounds. This supports fat metabolism, promoting better digestion, particularly after high-fat meals.

Immune Booster

Yarrow tea is an excellent go-to when you’re sick with a cold or the flu. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties making it a natural remedy for these infections. In fact, yarrow has been known to alleviate a cold within 24 hours if taken at the first signs of sickness.¹ It’s also a great fever reducer as it induces sweating, helping to bring down body temperature. Drinking it warm also helps to relieve congestion, further adding to its soothing effects. Sweeten with a little honey for the best taste and to ease a sore throat.

Pain and Inflammation Reducer

Yarrow contains compounds which help allay inflammation. Reduced inflammation means less pain. Try drinking yarrow tea to help with the following issues:

Menstrual Cramps – the powerful anti-inflammatory agents in yarrow assist in easing the pain associated with menstrual cramps. It’s also traditionally been used to reduce excessive menstrual bleeding.

Arthritis & Joint Pain – inflammation is the primary cause of the pain and stiffness experienced with joint pain and arthritis. Yarrow’s ability to lessen inflammation can help improve these symptoms.

Muscle Soreness – the anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties of yarrow make it effective in alleviating muscle soreness. Drinking yarrow tea can ease muscle stiffness, aches and tension, as well as soothe inflammation. Furthermore, yarrow stimulates circulation, increasing blood flow to muscles, which speeds up healing.

Relaxant & Sleep Aid

Yarrow is a mild nervine, meaning it calms, relaxes, and reduces anxiety and stress. Drinking a cup or two of yarrow tea before bed can promote better sleep quality and help you fall asleep faster.

Who Should Not Drink Yarrow Tea?

While yarrow tea has many benefits, it’s not suitable for everyone. Here are some groups who should avoid or use caution when consuming yarrow tea:

1. Pregnant Women – Yarrow may stimulate the uterus and could potentially lead to miscarriage or complications during pregnancy.

2. Breastfeeding Mothers – There is limited research on its safety for nursing infants, so it’s best to avoid it while breastfeeding.

3. People with Bleeding Disorders – Yarrow has mild blood-thinning properties and may increase the risk of excessive bleeding, especially for those with clotting disorders.

4. Before Surgery – Since yarrow may slow blood clotting, stop consuming it at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery to prevent excessive bleeding.

5. Allergy-Prone Individuals – Yarrow is part of the Asteraceae family (which includes ragweed, daisies, and marigolds), so people allergic to these plants may experience allergic reactions.

6. People Taking Blood Thinners or Blood Pressure Medications – Yarrow can interact with anticoagulants, blood pressure medications, and other prescriptions, potentially leading to unwanted side effects.

7. Those with Sensitive Digestion – In some cases, yarrow tea may cause nausea or upset stomach, particularly in people with sensitive digestive systems.

If you have any health concerns or take medication, consult a healthcare provider before drinking yarrow tea.

Tools Needed

• Tea strainer or disposable tea bags
• Tea kettle or pot to boil water

Ingredients

• Dried yarrow – can be found at some health food stores or on Amazon.
• Water, boiling
• Honey – optional
• Lemon – optional

How to Make Yarrow Tea

Place one heaping teaspoonful of dried yarrow into a tea strainer or disposable tea bag and place it in a mug.

Pour boiling water over tea and steep for 10-15 minutes.

Sweeten with a little honey and add lemon if desired.

Notes

• Pregnant women should not drink yarrow tea due to its ability to stimulate uterine contractions.²
• While generally safe, yarrow may interfere with other medications or supplements. Consult your physician before using.
• Fresh yarrow can be used in place of dried. Increase to 1 tbsp per cup.
• Yarrow tea must be drunk warm to be effective in reducing fevers. For maximum effect, steep for 30 minutes, and then rewarm before consuming.
• Add 1 tsp of ginger to your yarrow tea to increase anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Yarrow can be combined with chamomile, valerian, or lemon balm to enhance its relaxation properties.

Looking for more natural remedies to use in your home? Check out the Natural Remedies page!

1. Kloss, J. (2009). Back to Eden: The Classic Guide to Herbal Medicine, Natural Foods and Home Remedies Since 1939 (2nd ed., p. 202). Lotus Press. ↩︎
2. (n.d.). Yarrow. Mount Sinai. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/yarrow#:~:text=Pregnant%20women%20should%20not%20take,Possible%20Interactions ↩︎